News

UK first to strike trade deal with Trump

2025/05/09 20:00

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a new trade deal. Details remain limited, but it's expected to lower tariffs on cars, steel and aluminum. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. Britain became the first country to strike a trade deal with the United States on Thursday, since U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced last month. Nothing was officially signed during the Oval Office event announcing the trade deal, and many specifics about the deal were not immediately clear. According to President Trump,.. the final details are being written up, and will be made official in the coming weeks. However, according to a fact sheet from the White House, the trade deal will keep in place a ten percent blanket U.S. tariff on UK imports. It will also adjust tariffs on UK cars so that the first 100-thousand vehicles imported from British carmakers each year would be subject to a 10 percent rate, with additional vehicles facing a 25 percent tariff. Speaking to workers and reporters during a visit to a car factory in West Midlands, England on Thursday, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer praised the deal, calling it "historic." "And I'm really pleased to announce to you and I wanted to come to you to announce it, that we've agreed the basis of a historic economic prosperity deal. And that is a deal that will protect British businesses and save thousands of jobs in Britain. Really important, skilled, well-paid jobs." The deal will see U.S. tariffs on British cars slashed from 27-point-5 percent to ten percent. Also, import duties on steel and aluminum will be reduced to zero. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Seoul condemns N. Korea's missile test as Kim Jong-un pushes nuclear readiness

2025/05/09 17:00

South Korea has denounced North Korea for its latest launch of missiles which took place Thursday morning and marks the regime's fourth such test for this year. The Unification Ministry on this Friday asserted the launch violates UN Security Council resolutions and undermines peace on the peninsula. North Korea's state media for its part reported also on this Friday that Kim Jong-un oversaw a test of short-range ballistic missiles and long-range artillery back on Thursday COINCIDING with the launches detected by South Korea. Kim also reportedly stressed the significance of strengthening the combat readiness of his regime's nuclear forces.

Putin, Xi pledge to deepen ties, while urging other nations to drop sanctions against N. Korea

2025/05/09 17:00

Russia and China have reportedly called on the international community to surrender sanctions and pressure on North Korea and to seek diplomacy in tackling tensions on the Korean peninsula. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji has more. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Moscow on Thursday local time, and signed a joint statement where they pledged to strengthen cooperation in all areas, including military ties. During their talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders cast themselves as "defenders of a new world order no longer dominated by the U.S.," amid growing pressure from the West. "Our common heroic past and combat brotherhood are a reliable foundation for the development and strengthening of Russian-Chinese relations. And these relations have reached the highest level in history." The two sides also addressed global issues, including those on North Korea. They called on other nations to drop sanctions against Pyongyang, while saying issues on the Korean Peninsula must be resolved "only through diplomatic means." " China and Russia will continue to stand together, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and international order based on international law, and continue to promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world." One expert suggests the reason why Russia and China are backing North Korea could be because of the North's role in countering threats from the West. "I can only speculate that North Korea is playing an important role in this anti-Western strategy. In the immediate circumstances, it's providing weaponry, it's providing artillery, it's providing soldiers, and of course it's testing these short-range missiles for export, for use in other battlefields as well. So it may be that North Korea is simply 'useful' in this respect for both the great powers China and Russia." On Friday,.. Xi and other world leaders will attend the annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two. This will be the first time in 10 years that the Chinese leader is attending the event. North Korean ambassador to Russia is also expected to be there. The South Korean government earlier said it had received an invitation from Russia, but decided not to attend. This is likely because sending a senior official to the parade showcasing Russia's military capabilities could in itself send the wrong signal, especially at a time when Pyongyang and Moscow have been continuing arms cooperation, which is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes first U.S. pope taking the name Leo XIV

2025/05/09 17:00

The Catholic Church has ushered in its first American pope as cardinals on Thursday elected Pope Leo the 14th as the 2-hundred-67th pontiff. Shin Se-byuck covers this latest development. As white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel at 6:05 PM on Thursday local time, the world welcomed a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Leo XIV, has become the first American pope in the over 2-thousand-year history of the Catholic Church. Emerging in the traditional white cassock, the new pope appeared on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square to deliver his first message to the world. The 69-year-old was elected on the fourth round of voting, just two days after the conclave began, with at least two-thirds of the 133 cardinal votes needed to confirm his selection. His election comes 17 days after the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis. In the Vatican, the atmosphere was one of celebration as the faithful welcomed the newly elected pontiff. "Having the leader of the Catholic Church to be from the same country as I am, I have just felt like I just felt very proud." "Really happy and really happy. It's a big surprise and a big blessing for the church and for the church in the United States, and the church in the Americas." U.S. President Donald Trump also took to social media, saying it's an "honor" to see the first American pope. Back in his hometown of Chicago, the mood was equally celebratory. "Very surprised and then elated." "It's exciting. American. It's it's nice for us." Born in 1955 in Chicago, Leo XIV served in Peru for two decades, working with indigenous communities and the poor before being appointed archbishop in 2015. In 2023, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis and took on the influential role of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing key church appointments. The name "Leo," from the Latin word for "lion," symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership in the Catholic tradition. The last pope to bear the name, Leo XIII, who served for 25 years from 1878, is credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic teaching by addressing the social challenges of the industrial era. Cardinal Prevost's choice of the name Leo XIV is seen as a nod to this legacy. His diverse background, combining North American roots and deep Latin American connections, is being viewed as a potential bridge within the global Church, appealing to both conservative and progressive factions. Looking ahead, Leo XIV is expected to visit South Korea in 2027 for the next World Youth Day. This would mark the fourth visit by a pope to South Korea and the first in 13 years since Pope Francis visited in August 2014. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

UK first to strike trade deal with Trump

2025/05/09 17:00

Elsewhere. U.S. President Donald Trump and his British counterpart Keir Starmer have touted a trade deal but details remain limited as broader negotiations continue. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. Britain became the first country to strike a trade deal with the United States on Thursday, since U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs announced last month. Nothing was officially signed during the Oval Office event announcing the trade deal, and many specifics about the deal were not immediately clear. According to President Trump,.. the final details are being written up, and will be made official in the coming weeks. However, according to a fact sheet from the White House, the trade deal will keep in place a ten percent blanket U.S. tariff on UK imports. It will also adjust tariffs on UK cars so that the first 100-thousand vehicles imported from British carmakers each year would be subject to a 10 percent rate, with additional vehicles facing a 25 percent tariff. Speaking to workers and reporters during a visit to a car factory in West Midlands, England on Thursday, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer praised the deal, calling it "historic." "And I'm really pleased to announce to you and I wanted to come to you to announce it, that we've agreed the basis of a historic economic prosperity deal. And that is a deal that will protect British businesses and save thousands of jobs in Britain. Really important, skilled, well-paid jobs." The deal will see U.S. tariffs on British cars slashed from 27-point-5 percent to ten percent. Also, import duties on steel and aluminum will be reduced to zero. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea logs current account surplus for 23rd straight month in March

2025/05/09 17:00

On the economic front. Korea's current account remained in positive territory for the 23rd month in a row in March with a surplus of over NINE BILLION U.S. dollars. Our Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings. South Korea's current account remained in the black in March for the twenty-third month in a row. Data from the Bank of Korea released on Friday shows the country's current account registered a surplus of 9-point-1-4 billion U.S. dollars for the month. This figure marks a sharp increase compared to the same period last year, and is significantly higher than February's figure. It comes as the goods balance, which tracks exports and imports of products and accounts for the largest portion of the current account, registered a surplus of almost 8-point-5 billion dollars. Overall exports rose by 2-point-2 percent year-on-year to 59-point-3 billion dollars on strong demand for IT products. Specifically, chip exports reversed a one-month decline, increasing by 12 percent year-on-year. Outbound shipments of computers also climbed sharply, rising by 32 percent year-on-year. Exports of non-IT products, including pharmaceuticals and cars, also rose, while petroleum products and steel products saw a decline. On the other hand, the services balance continued to remain in the red, owing to deficits in the travel and other business services accounts. However, the deficit amount narrowed compared to February. Looking at the first three months of this year, the cumulative current account surplus totaled more than 19 billion dollars, which is larger than the 16 billion dollars recorded during the same period last year. However, uncertainties lie ahead concerning new tariff measures by the Trump administration. "Although the first quarter surplus was higher than last year, new U.S. tariffs are expected to have a stronger impact. This could result in the current account surplus being smaller than initially projected." Meanwhile, imports rose by 2-point-3 percent year-on-year, driven by strong demand for capital goods -any physical asset used for production -and consumer goods. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

DP candidate Lee Jae-myung visits conservative stronghold ahead of official campaign kickoff

2025/05/09 17:00

Liberal party candidate Lee Jae-myung for his part entered the final leg of his regional tour ahead of the official campaign period starting next week. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung began a two-day visit to the Gyeongsang-do provinces today, to meet with residents. It marks his final regional trip before the official campaign kicks off on Monday, and he chose to focus on areas known as conservative strongholds. At his first stop in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Lee said the president is just a tool chosen by the people and encouraged voters to choose a trustworthy worker. He also appealed to voters by pledging full National Assembly support for the upcoming APEC summit in the city. "I'm sure the people of Gyeongju will help build not just a better city, but a new and hopeful Korea for the people one that's for the people and respects the people." Ahead of the official campaign, Lee's camp introduced its strategy for the presidential race. The camp decided to focus on national unity with a brand identity using both blue and red. It highlighted three key points: ending what it called "insurrection" and restoring democracy, helping Korea become a global leader, and building a united nation. Meanwhile, following the Supreme Court's decision on Lee's election law violation case, the DP, which has been describing it as political interference, continues to urge an investigation into the top court's ruling. This comes despite the removal of a major legal hurdle for Lee, as the high court postponed a rehearing and review of its verdict until after the presidential election. Party Floor Leader Park Chan-dae said on Friday that the best way for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to protect the judiciary's honor and do what's right was to step down before it was too late. Judges from around the country have decided to hold an extraordinary meeting on May 26th to discuss the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court's ruling on Lee. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Two days before merger deadline, Kim and PPP leadership drift further apart

2025/05/09 17:00

We start yet again on the local political front. The conservative party remains embroiled in internal conflict over a possible coalition. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon is standing by live on the line with the latest. Do-yeon, welcome. So I hear the party's presidential candidate and the leadership of the party remain at odds? Sun-hee, "at odds" might be an understatement at this point. For the first time since winning the PPP presidential primary, Kim Moon-soo attended a full floor meeting at the National Assembly a move that initially seemed like an attempt at reconciliation. He took the podium, told lawmakers he loved them, making a heart shape with his arms but then doubled down on his criticism of the leadership and again ruled out any merger with Han before Sunday. Take a listen to Kim and the party's interim chair, Kwon Young-se's response. "Even now, the party leadership is using every unlawful and unjust means to remove me and install an independent candidate as our party's nominee." "I won't say much. But if someone wants to be a true leader — a greater leader — they must be willing to let go of themselves." Following those remarks, Kwon abruptly left the meeting. Kim followed soon after. As he exited, several lawmakers tried to persuade him to stay and talk — but Kim pushed his way through, showing just how strained things have become. Now, candidate registration at the National Election Commission opens tomorrow and runs through Sunday. Han Duck-soo says he won't register unless a merger happens beforehand. Kim, meanwhile, accuses the leadership of trying to oust him and has filed for court intervention — asking to block any further PPP convention aimed at replacing him. He insists no merger can happen before the 11th — the registration deadline — while Han says he won't register as an independent at all if there's no agreement. Meanwhile, Do-yeon, what's the latest regarding the survey that the conservative camp has been conducting? That's right, Sun-hee. The party held a two-day vote among registered members, along with a public opinion poll, to decide who should be the PPP's sole nominee. The member vote ended at 4 PM today, and the public poll wrapped up at 1 PM. We're told the results will be tallied within two hours and announced later today. This vote is one of the few moves the leadership pushed forward, despite Kim's strong objections. I'll have the results in a later newscast. Back to you. All right, Do-yeon, thank you for the latest from the conservative camp.

Rain lingers through Saturday in the central region, breezy weekend

2025/05/09 17:00

We've seen a rapid shift in the weather picture lately, and today we faced strong winds and heavy rain across the country. Jeju Island saw harsh weather with powerful waves crashing ashore. While the rain will mostly stop in the southern regions and Jeju by tonight, it's expected to linger in the capital areas until early tomorrow and Gangwon-do could see rain into the afternoon. Daytime highs were 10 degrees lower than yesterday. Temperatures will remain below the norms through the weekend. For a closer look, Seoul and Daejeon wake up to a low of 12 degrees, Daegu and Busan at 14 degrees. Partial sunshine returns to Busan and Jeju with an expected high of 19 degrees, but Seoul only gets up to 15 degrees under cloudy skies. Next week looks to be more promising with wide gaps between lows and highs. That's Korea for you. Here's a look at the international weather conditions.

What palaces offer at night under the moonlight

2025/05/09 17:00

The nights on the royal grounds of palaces here in Seoul are more beautiful than the days. And our Ahn Sung-jin has pictures to prove it. "Promoting harmony" That's what the name of main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace, Honghwamun means. One of the main palaces in Seoul, the Changgyeonggung used to be the living quarters for the royal family during the Joseon dynasty. Though its historical values and beauty shine during the day, once the sun goes down, the palace's roof tiles, or giwa, glisten in the moonlight. Starting from this year, the Moonlight Lotus show at Changgyeonggung Palace has become a regular night tour program. The enchanting media art illuminates Chundangji pond. Scenes of blossoming flowers sparkle on the serene pond backdrop, and petals fall to the sound effect of a water drop. The night tour program encapsulates the palace's scenery through media art facades and revolves around the theme of harmony between tradition and modernity. "I really enjoy it. It's some really good creation with numeric art. It was a surprise because I only came to visit the palace." "I didn't know they were doing this today, but it's so beautiful." "I just came here with my girlfriend, but I'd want to come back again. It'll be a great memory for us." The glass greenhouse resembles a treasure chest floating above the illuminated water surface. "Such programs at night open up the opportunity to soak in the virtue and the beauty of the palace through various visual attractions." "I think one reason why these night tours are so popular is because unlike the bustling daytime view, the night view offers something different, serenity and peacefulness. That's why we want to further expand our programs." Even though night tours will be offered through the entire year, those who want to see the media art facade will have to go before May 18th or wait till September when the program resumes. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Tracing the history of the Joseon Tongsinsa

2025/05/09 17:00

Up next in the third installment of our coverage of an ancient diplomatic mission from Korea to Japan our correspondent Song Yoo-jin takes us to an exhibition that further explores this past art of diplomacy. Do take a look. These paintings offer a glimpse into the original Joseon Tongsinsa missions, depicting the formal procession and the ships that carried the envoys across the sea to Japan. For those curious about how these centuries-old diplomatic journeys helped bridge the two countries, you can step back in time here. "This exhibition, 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance,' currently on at the Seoul Museum of History, is the largest-ever held on the Joseon Tongsinsa. It also marks the museum's biggest exhibition since its opening in 2002." More than 100 artifacts from both Korea and Japan are on display, some of them listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. "The Tongsinsa missions were launched after the Imjin War, at a time when Japan was still viewed as a sworn enemy. But Joseon decided to restore diplomatic ties for the peace and stability of its people. Those efforts to rebuild trust is what we've focused on." The three-part exhibition traces the history of the 12 Tongsinsa missions from the 17th to 19th centuries, from their dispatch and sea voyage, to cultural exchanges in Japan, and their return home. "As the missions continued, mutual understanding grew, and many of the artifacts on display, such as the handwritten exchanges and literary works by the envoys, reflect that deepening relationship." That human connection is captured in this painting, collected by the late Korean historian Shin Gi-su. Shin donated over a hundred artifacts related to the Joseon Tongsinsa to the Osaka Museum of History. "This painting shows an everyday interaction. An envoy on horseback is greeted by a Japanese citizen, almost like an autograph signing. While we have many records of formal diplomacy, there's little that shows how ordinary people connected with the envoys." The first part of 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance' will close on May 25th. The second and final phase will open on May 27th with new artifacts, until June 29th. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Arirang TV makes donation to aid wildfire recovery in Hadong-gun County

2025/05/09 17:00

In other news. The station you're watching Arirang TV has joined the campaign to support recovery efforts in Hadong-gun County Gyeongsangnam-do Province following the region's devastating forest fires back in March. According to the Hadong-gun County Office on this Friday its mayor has shared gratitude for Arirang TV's donation of two million won or some 1-thousand-4-hundred U.S. dollars raised voluntarily by its employees.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/09 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. New Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Korea in 2027. If the visit materializes, he will become the third pope in history to visit the country. Anticipation for his visit stems from a decision made by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who announced Seoul as the host city for the next 'World Youth Day' set for 2027. World Youth Day is a global event that brings together young Catholics from around the world to celebrate and deepen their faith. It has been customary for the pope to attend the event, and the tradition has been upheld even when there has been a change in the papacy. Meanwhile, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Seoul Archdiocese offered his congratulations, expressing hope that the new pontiff will guide the Catholic Church with the light of love and justice. He also voiced his wish for continued care and affection for the Korean Church and the wider Asian community. The '2025 Gangneung Danoje Festival,' a millennium-old celebration recognized as both a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a National Intangible Cultural Asset, will take place from May 27 to June 3. Marking the 20th anniversary of its UNESCO inscription, this year's festival offers more than 60 vibrant programs, including traditional rituals, shamanistic ceremonies, folk games, and interactive events for visitors. The event will also include a variety of performances, such as traditional women's opera and international guest showcases. With the growing global popularity of K-culture, the festival will welcome an increased number of international participants this year. The '2025 Delight Seoul' media art exhibition is currently underway in Jongno District, inviting visitors to a captivating blend of cutting-edge technology and immersive art. The Delight series, which uses intellectual property developed by Seoul-based media production company 'Design Silverfish,' has garnered global acclaim with praised showcases in major cities from New York to Dubai. This year's event highlights the most popular content from the past five years, integrating technologies like AI, augmented reality, and projection mapping. The exhibition will run through November 15. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Latest K-movie releases around golden holiday

2025/05/09 14:00

Just in time for the “golden holiday“ we’ve had this week here in Korea, a number of movies of different genres, messages and appeal were released. Let’s take a look at the latest in the world of K-movies with Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back, Professor Soh! Q1. Koreans have just come back from a long holiday, with Children’s Day and Buddha’s birthday all happening earlier this week. That also meant many people flocked to movie theaters. How’s the box office looking this month so far? Q2. Then let’s talk about the movies that were released around these holidays. What are they about and how has the response been so far? Q3. Is there a film that you’re particularly drawn to? Q4. “The Old Woman With the Knife“ had been unveiled at the Berlin International Film Festival back in February. How has it been viewed abroad and how is the domestic response? Q5. “Holy Night: Demon Hunters“ and “Virus“ were two movies that were postponed during the pandemic. It’s become more common to have movies being released years after shooting them. That is also leading to criticism that there is a lack of freshly developed film content. What’s your take on this? Q6. Professor Soh, let’s also talk a little bit about the Jeonju International Film Festival, which is wrapping up today. What were the highlights or what’s your general impression of it? Q7. Is there anything that could be done better at the festival to grow the reputation of JIFF? Q8. Do you think the golden week holidays and the film festival’s atmosphere will carry over to the cinema scene this month and beyond?

[K-enter] Tom Cruise in Korea to promote "Mission Impossible 8"

2025/05/09 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, let’s start off with a story about a Hollywood star visiting Korea right now. Who’s in town? Hollywood icon Tom Cruise arrived in Korea on Wednesday to promote his upcoming film “Mission: Impossible -The Final Reckoning,” the 8th movie of the Mission Impossible series. This is his 12th official visit to Korea. At a press conference held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul on Thursday, Cruise acknowledged the fear involved in his stunts but emphasized his willingness to confront it. Along with Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie and actors Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis also attended. Cruise never misses Korea to promote his upcoming films and said visiting Korea was one of his dreams and the fact that he has visited 12 times is proof of that. “Mission Impossible 8” is an action blockbuster in which Ethan Hunt and his Impossible Mission Force (IMF) team members risk their lives amid a desperate crisis that threatens the entire human race. It will be released in theaters on May 17th here in Korea. His stunts never get old and I still can’t believe he does all of them himself. We now move on from Hollywood to K-pop news on one of the members of NCT? Yes, we briefly talked about DOYOUNG’s Seoul concert last week. Well, we thought he’s just holding a concert in Seoul, but it happens that he is actually holding a tour across Asia. His second Asia tour, the “2025 DOYOUNG CONCERT ” will begin right here in Seoul from June 13th to 15th for a total of three days. It will then head across Asia, including concerts in Yokohama, Singapore, Macau, Bangkok, and Taipei. As we covered last week, only two concerts in Seoul were originally planned, but due to the explosive response from the fans, an additional show was added. DOYOUNG will deliver warm comfort and empathy to his fans as he expresses various memories and emotions that he encounters at the moment of opening ‘the door of memories.’ Meanwhile, DOYOUNG will release his second solo album on June 9th. Lastly, we have a story on an upcoming animation. Korean author Baek Hee-na’s books have been made into a Japanese animated film titled, “Magic Candies.” The new film is a story about Dongdong, a quiet boy who spends most of his time alone, until he discovers magical candies that allow him to hear the thoughts and feelings of others. What starts as a simple treat turns into a life-changing journey of connection and growth. “Magic Candies” is based on Baek Hee-na’s beloved books “Magic Candies” and “I Am a Dog.” She is the first Korean winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, known as the Nobel Prize of children’s literature. The upcoming film is already receiving global praise as it has been invited to over 30 film festivals around the globe. It won the Jury Prize and Audience Award at the New York International Children’s Film Festival and has also been nominated for the Best Animated Short category at the Oscars. Here in Korea you can watch the film at Lotte Cinema theaters starting on May 28th.

[Weather] Rain nationwide, downpours on south coast and Jeju

2025/05/09 10:00

As you head out this Friday morning, an umbrella is a must! We're expecting heavy rain to fall across the entire country today. Currently, Jeju Island is already experiencing downpours with a heavy rain advisory issued for the entire island. This band of rain will be spreading nationwide throughout the morning. The southern coast and Jeju are bracing for summer monsoon-like rain, with up to 200 millimeters expected. The south coast could see around 80 millimeters of rain. The rest of the inland regions could receive 10 to 50 millimeters, mostly today. After yesterday's early summer heat, today's rain will bring a cooler feel. Here in Seoul, the daytime high will only reach around 16 degrees Celsius, similar to today's lows. Readings will stay below norms through the weekend with lingering rain in central areas. Checking on today's highs, Gwangju gets up to 19 degrees and 18 degrees in Daegu and Busan. Please stay safe and dry out there!

LA28 reveals venues for Olympic opening and closing ceremoniess

2025/05/09 10:00

Finally, the LA28 Organizing Committee announced on Thursday that the opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games will take place simultaneously at two iconic venues the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the modern SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. This will mark the first dual-venue approach in Olympic history. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will become the first venue to host three opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games separately. LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman stated that utilizing both venues showcases the rich sporting history and innovative spirit of Los Angeles and aims to create an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans worldwide.

Bill Gates to give away $200 billion by 2045

2025/05/09 10:00

Billionaire Bill Gates announced Thursday that he would donate over 200 billion U.S. dollars through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by 2045. That would mean the Microsoft co-founder will have given away 99% of his fortune by that date. The announcement follows cuts to international aid budgets, including U.S. foreign aid programs, which Gates said would cause "millions of more deaths" worldwide. The Gates Foundation is set to conclude its operations on December 31, 2045, earlier than planned, having already contributed over 100 billion dollars since its establishment in 2000.

Trump calls for 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia

2025/05/09 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an immediate 30-day unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The announcement follows a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Thursday, local time, President Trump urged both Russia and Ukraine to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, warning that failure to comply would result in additional sanctions from the United States and its allies. In the announcement on his Truth Social account, he emphasized that both nations would be held accountable for respecting the ceasefire. He also expressed willingness to facilitate negotiations toward a broader peace agreement. President Zelenskyy confirmed his call with President Trump earlier and said Ukraine remains willing to negotiate. Zelenskyy also said the ratified minerals deal with the U.S. was a "truly historic document that opens up many new opportunities." The conversation between the two leaders came just as the Kremlin proposed a limited three-day ceasefire to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day.

Tensions rise between India and Pakistan with drone and missile attacks

2025/05/09 10:00

Tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating, with both sides reporting drone and missile attacks. On Thursday, India announced that its air defenses had successfully intercepted drone and missile attacks from Pakistan targeting military installations. However, Pakistan denied these allegations and also said it had downed 25 Indian drones. On the same day, India carried out airstrikes in parts of Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This came a day after India claimed to have struck nine "terrorist infrastructure" sites in Pakistan in response to the massacre of 26 individuals, mostly Indian tourists, by militants on April 22. The international community has urged both countries to de-escalate the situation but both sides have expressed intentions to respond forcefully.